with all these SW wind days coming in where does everyone round Newcastle/Lake Macquarie go kiting? Where would be good for a newbie for trying to stay upwind? The NSWKSA site says Swansea fish coop, and Redhead beach but Redhead in a SW would be getting a bit of swell..

Fish co-op in a South Wester is flat and ok for newbies - just watch out for the razor shells/fish. I cut my hand badly in august last year when I was learning in that spot. If you can generally stay on your board it would be ok, but if you are at the stage of going a few metres and falling, i wouldn't recommend it.

Craig.

The better spot to launch at the co-op is around 200m north of the actual co-op, just past what looks like a dry creek bed. There is sufficient room to launch - solo launch can be tricky dependent on the kite and the user. There may be other kiters there - all depends. Just please take heed of the razor fish warning, you do not want to be sitting for 7 hours in emergency and walk out with 6 stitches and 6 weeks off kiting.

Another great spot is Birubi beach up at Nelson's Bay - beach runs almost east to west, the only dangers up there are the 4wd's and the swell if it is large.

I plan to be either at the co-op or Birubi on sunday as long as the wind is up and SW! (gotta work saturday )